Machiavelli
Well-known member
Well?
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"You win elections on the centre ground"
- Thread starter Machiavelli
- Start date
clapham_gull
Legacy Fan
- Aug 20, 2003
- 25,301
Not in this phase.
JC Footy Genius
Bringer of TRUTH
- Jun 9, 2015
- 10,568
Perhaps the centre ground is shifting and is no longer being defined by an amalgamation of elites who have assumed their world view is set in stone.
ManOfSussex
We wunt be druv
Impossible?
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,292
this is a maxim of British politics. many other countries are biased towards left or right politics.
JCL666
absurdism
- Sep 23, 2011
- 2,190
The rush to the centre ground has left those on the periphery with little or no representation. Particularly the working class.
Disenfranchisement and disconnect between the electorate and political parties on a grand scale.
People are voting for something different. It's been coming for a while, but the political parties here and on the other side of the Atlantic failed to address it and now we've all to go through what maybe a protracted period of uncertainty.
Disenfranchisement and disconnect between the electorate and political parties on a grand scale.
People are voting for something different. It's been coming for a while, but the political parties here and on the other side of the Atlantic failed to address it and now we've all to go through what maybe a protracted period of uncertainty.
Diego Napier
Well-known member
- Mar 27, 2010
- 4,416
The centre ground is a first-past-the-post phenomenon. In other countries proportional representation allows a reasonably even spread across the political spectrum.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
The left win elections on the centre ground, the right win them on the right
Diego Napier
Well-known member
- Mar 27, 2010
- 4,416
Perhaps not. Elites will inevitably rise to the top whether by dint of birth or transmogrification from ardent pleb to comfy establishment figure.
JC Footy Genius
Bringer of TRUTH
- Jun 9, 2015
- 10,568
They will but the current elites/establishment seem to be losing their grip. No bad thing imo.
It will be interesting to see how they react. The preferred option, finally addressing some of the very real concerns of the electorate or the more likely just paying lip service to the issues, offering a few crumbs which will probably lead to even more extreme electoral choices in the near future.
Hmm ... the US election has just been won by a multi-millionaire son of a multi-millionaire: little sign of the elites losing grip there. The UK PM is someone who has spent nearly 20 years in the shadow cabinet or cabinet and, as the Oxford-educated daughter of a vicar, couldn't be much more establishment if she tried.
France will be interesting: the current odds-on favourite is someone who has been at the centre of politics for about 40 years, If he doesn't win, there may be some indication that there's a revolt against the elites but I'll only truly believe that when the CDU or SPD don't win in Germany or when Corbyn is standing outside No 10.
What the US does show is that it economic success doesn't bring electoral success. The Democrats were riding on high following quarter after quarter of economic growth and steadily falling unemployment. Conventional wisdom is that economic competence breeds success - that no longer holds true
Bob!
Coffee Buyer
- Jul 5, 2003
- 11,117
Unfortunately
Wardy's twin
Well-known member
- Oct 21, 2014
- 8,433
Sure there is economic growth but if it is not spread across a wide spectrum of people then it won't help.
JC Footy Genius
Bringer of TRUTH
- Jun 9, 2015
- 10,568
Yes the US election has just been won by a multi-millionaire son of a multi-millionaire who steamrolled the Republican nomination process crushing all their preferred establishment candidates causing what they thought was untold damage to their cause because of his numerous offensive comments and actions. He was the insurgent candidate who managed to win. It will be interesting to see if the Republican party establishment can bring him under their control or will he be more his own man and follow through on his 'drain the swamp' rhetoric.
The UK PM is someone who has spent nearly 20 years in the shadow cabinet or cabinet and, as the Oxford-educated daughter of a vicar, who is having to carry out a historic change in direction for the UK, exiting the EU. Against the wishes of numerous elites/establishment/experts, many of whom are trying to stall/ dilute the process.
I see Sarkozy has been adopting some of the rhetoric of the Front National trying to blunt their appeal .. agree France will be interesting. As for the rest of Europe the more extreme parties have already been gaining ground for some time. I doubt we will see anything on the scale of Brexit/Trump wins but increased support for far left/right movements will probably increase.
Also partially agree with your last point. As has been pointed out by Wardy's twin many people still feel left behind though. The political truism used to be 'it's the economy stupid' ... apparently not any more.
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
Has he borrowed the coat Holloway got soaked in at the Amex ?
el punal
Well-known member
'Fraud so!
el punal
Well-known member
I'm AFRAID so! (Auto wotsit error!)